Use OpenTaxSolver as an open source alternative to TurboTax

If you're a United States citizen, learn how to do your own state tax returns with OpenTaxSolver.

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OpenTaxSolver is an open source application for US taxpayers to calculate their state and federal income tax returns in a way TurboTax users will find familiar. Before I get into the software, let's take a step back and explore the US tax system.

Tax code and open source software

I spent about five hours a day for a week looking into open source options for doing your taxes, and I learned about a lot more than just tax software.

One other reason researching this topic was rather difficult (but ultimately rewarding) is that, by federal law, the major tax software companies are required to provide their services for free to any person earning under $69,000 per year. About 70% of Americans fit into this category, and if you are one of them, you can check the IRS's Free File webpage for links to free filing software from well-known companies. (The IRS reminds you that "you are responsible for determining your eligibility for one of the Free File Online offers.")

Please share this information broadly—knowledge is power, and not everyone can (or wants to) use open source software to do their taxes for reasons including:

Lack of computer or software access

Low computer competence

Age or disability

Discomfort with doing taxes

If you don't fall into any of these categories and want to do your taxes the open source way, continue reading to learn about OpenTaxSolver.

About OpenTaxSolver

OpenTaxSolver is meant to be used with the IRS's tax booklet, which is published yearly. This booklet provides detailed information for doing your taxes, such as rules around tax credits and write-offs.

OpenTaxSolver cuts down on tax calculations when you fill out your tax forms and simplifies the hardest part of doing your taxes: the math. You still have to fill in your data and turn the paperwork in, but using the software means you can do it in about half of the time. Since OpenTaxSolver is running in beta, you have to double-check all of your number entries and information against the official IRS tax booklet after you use the software.

Download and install OpenTaxSolver

First, download the software. There are versions for Linux, Windows, and macOS. If you're using one of the latter two, refer to the download page for installation instructions. I'm using my go-to operating system, Ubuntu Linux, which I installed by:

Downloading the TGZ file from the website

Extracting it to my desktop (but you can choose any location on your computer)

Enter your tax data

I'll walk through this example using random numbers (for obvious reasons). This walkthrough will explain how to do federal taxes with OpenTaxSolver, but if you have to pay state taxes, do that before you begin your federal return.

To do the common Federal 1040 tax return, select US 1040, click Start New Return, and start answering some basic questions about your tax situation. For this example, I selected the following itemized deductions: mortgage interest, donations, and some random itemizable write-offs. If you don't know what these are or what may apply to you, head over to the IRS website or google "itemizable write-offs."

If you entered your name, address, and social security number when entering your data, all of that information will also appear in the right places on the form. Double-check everything, print it, and mail your tax return to the IRS.

Final notes

OpenTaxSolver gives you the opportunity to file your own federal and state taxes and should be considered when open source enthusiasts are looking for an alternative to TurboTax. As always, with any federal related tax information (or federal anything, for that matter), always double-check and use due diligence. I found this software very useful for expanding my knowledge about my taxes.

The OpenTaxSolver website includes a request for contributors, so if you want to start contributing to an open source project that helps everyone, this is one I'd definitely suggest.

And if you're someone who likes to wait until the last minute to pay your taxes, this clock tells you how much time you have until your taxes are due.

Presumably you are also responsible for knowing which forms apply to you, including if you have complicated tax situations not covered by forms listed in the software. (From the screenshot it wasn't obvious that all IRS forms were covered.) Looks like all the basics are covered, though. A nice idea that should help a lot of people!

If you require hand-holding then you better stick with TurboTax because OpenTaxSolver WILL NOT automatically fill in the tax forms for you. You should know your way around the tax forms.

I've been using OpenTaxSolver for the past 4-5 years and find it does the job. It does not have all the bells and whistles and pretty looking interface of the commercially available tax software for Windows but it does greatly simplify filling out a tax return.

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